Aerosol humidifier apparatus



Dec. 7, I954 E. I.. HlcKMAN AEROSOL HUMIDIFIER APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheetl Filed April 13, 1958 I I I I I I I l I l I I I I I I I I I I I I I I II l m M w? o." L 0 m T A .N F.. E v W Y4 a B o 4 9 8 ATTY.

Dec. 7, 1954 E. HlCKMAN 2,696,210

AEROSOL HUMIDIFIER APPARATUS Filed April 13, 1953 2 Sheets-Sheet 2|NVENTOR= EARL. L-HCKMN BY ww ATT Y.

United States Patent O AEROSGL HUIVIIDIFIER APPARATUS Earl L.l-llickman, Greeley, Colo.

Application April 13, 1953, Serial No. 348,308

Claims. (Cl. 128-173) Aerosol is the smallest possible particle ofmoisture in air, and it can be accomplished only by a nebulizer creatinga fog cloud, and is not to be confused with a spray of larger particlesas conventionally formed by an atomizer.

Various aqueous solutions of medicinal formula, such as a detergent, C.125 per cent, in combination with sodium bicarbonate 2 per cent andglycerin 5 per cent, said detergent being a member of the class Ofdetergent compounds identified as alkylaryl polyether alcohols, being anoxyethylated tertiary octylphenol-forrnaldehyde polymer, used eitheralone or as a vehicle for penicillin, streptomycin or decongestants,have been found capable of creating a greater density fog than water, inthe use of my aerosol humidifier apparatus.

Heretofore, before the use of my apparatus, as far as known, it has notbeen possible to produce a fog nebulization of such aqueous solutions,in treatment of certain respiratory diseases, the method heretofore usedfailing 'to produce a fog or saturation of the air, because heretoforethe only known method was by means of ordinary atomization of thesolution into the air by large particle spray, which failed to nebulizeor fog the air with the aqueous solution. t

Usually humidification is desired in connection with administration ofOxygen, either into an inhalation mask, an Oxygen tent, a hood, anincubator, or into a resuscitator for use on newborns, however same isnot necessarily limited thereto.

In the case of use with Oxygen, a source of Oxygen supply is eitheravailable from an Oxygen bottle or tank, or, in larger hospitals, it isavailable from a pipe Outlet, being piped to each room from a commonsource. In either event, a flow meter is provided at the Oxygen sourceconnection, at which source there is about fifty pounds of Oxygenpressure, to limit the flow possible therefrom. Heretofore, so far asknown, the atomization apparatus for attempting to humidify the Oxygen,utilized the Oxygen pressure to try to push the water or aqueoussolution up into a tube from a solution tank, accumulating the Oxygenpressure in a space in the tank above the solution level,

the tube leading to an atomizer, and such structure failed,

first, because only an atomization of the solution occurred and not afog nebulization, and, secondly, because the back pressure in that tubeand water against the Oxygen worked to defeat the function of the justexplained flow meter at the Oxygen source, causing inaccuracy andineffectualness of the flow meter and sometimes breaking the flow meter.

To Overcome said difliculty and deficiency, and to accomplish the neededand desired result, I have perfected my novel apparatus, in which newapparatus I utilize the power of the Oxygen stream, coming from the flowmeter, to the extent of about five to six liters volume Of flow perminute, to accomplish nebulization of the aqueous solution, incombination with a true nebulizer, and not an atomizer, and accomplish a100% fog nebulization of the Oxygen before it enters the desiredreceptacle of use for the patient.

Having thus explained the problem, it will be understood that aprincipal object of this invention is to construct an apparatus whichutilizes the direct and unobstructed approximate five liter volume freeflow per minute of Oxygen, or air pressure, into a sealed nebulizer,connected with the desired aqueous solution, for creating a saturatedresultant fog nebulized mixture. g

Another principal object vof my invention is the construction of such anapparatus utilizing such Oxygen flow rice into a nebulzer, with thenebulizer connection with the desired aqueoussolution to be fog mixedthereby into the Oxygen, whereby there will be no back pressure on theOxygen flow to defeat such flow.

Another principal Object is the construction of such an apparatus ofstrong and economical construction, and yet simple and convenient tohandle and operate, and one which will last indefinitely and notdeteriorate with use and be efficient of operation so as to be reliable.

Other and sundry objects will be apparent to those sklled in the artfrom the following detailed explanation, and from the drawingsaccompanying this application, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of my apparatus;

Figure 2 is a top elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged elevational view of my excess flow control valve33; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged partial view of the glass nebulizer 65.

Throughout the drawings like characters of reference have been used torepresent like parts.

I provide a basket-like portable container Or housing, having Verticalside walls 10, with a top 10a and a bottom 10b secured thereto, and acarrying handle 11 secured to the top.

I cut an opening in the top portion 10a and secure an Open top tank 12concentrically thereunder through the top portion. Vertically midway ofthat tank I secure a screen 12a to the wall thereof, which screen isadapted to hold an inverted open top bottle 15. Said bottle, in actualuse, usually is a 500 cc. bottle of the aqueous fluid used to nebulizethe Oxygen. It will be'understood that barometric pressure against thefluid level in the tank 12, around the inverted open top of the bottle,will hold the fluid in the bottle and in the tank, of a tank level, asillustrated. A slidable upright holding post 16, suitably slidably andadjustably held to the housing -1011 by means of screw lug 19, having acompanion strap member 17, acts to hold the bottle 15 from tilting oncethe bottle has been inverted and placed on the screen 12a. Strap 17 isremovably secured to post 16 by screw 18, and is of a length justslightly larger than the outer diameter of the bottle, so that whenscrew 18 is seated into post 16 the strap will act to bind the bottle tothe post. I provide a division or auxiliary reservoir tank 14, alsoopen-topped, connected for gravity feed by pipe 13, with reservoir tank12, and with 14 spacedly hung from the top 10a.

A source of Oxygen, not illustrated, being either an Oxygen so-calledtank or bottle, or, in the case of larger or modern hospitals with theOxygen piped to each room from a central tank supply, is provided, and atube 30 connects my apparatus with that source, as the case may be.Between tube 30 and that source of Oxygen a flow meter gauge and valve,not illustrated, is placed, to limit the escape pressure at the Oxygensource. That supply pressure, before it is thus limited, is normallyabout a fifty pound pressure. Oxygen is administered to a patient interms of liter volume flow per minute. Since the nebulizer 65 will notaccommodate over five to six liter volume flow per minute, in the sizeused, and it may be desired to bypass the nebulizer to get additionalOxygen volume fiow per minute to the patient`s receptacle, such as anOxygen tent, in some cases, I provide an excess flow control escape orpet-Cook type valve 33, suitably mounted in a frame 33a inside the lowerleft of the housing, as illustrated, having an arm 32 extending throughan arc opening 37 in the housing side wall. A liter volume flow perminute scale 38, to correspond with the action of valve 33, is securedto thezoutside wall above the opening 37, to indicate the excess Oxygenflow by-passing the nebulizer. Referring to Figure 3, the Oxygen inletfrom tube 30 connects to pipe 34. The flow pressure into pipe 34 isControlled by the flow meter valve and gauge at the Oxygen source, asexplained and not illustrated. Pipe 34 is of the configuration shown,having an off-set pipe 36 therefrom. I-Iose 70 connects olf-set pipe 36with the lower reduced portion of the nebulizer 65b. The other end ofpipe 34, designated as 34a in Figure 3, is connected to the said excessflow control valve 33. It will be understood that should the source flowmeter be set to release over five to six liter volume fiowof Oxygenperminute, to

enter pipe 34, then valve 33 is then to be manually Opened to permit anyexcess above five to six liter volume flow per minute to pass through33. For example, should the fiow from the source be ten liters perminute, then the excess fiow valve is set at approximately four litersfiow per minute escape therethrough. The escape fiow through valve 33enters pipe 35, from whence, not illustrated, it is directed into thepatient's receptacle, such as the Oxygen tent, Without humidificationthereof. Humidification, by means of nebulization, occurs to the Oxygenescaping out pipe 36 and tube 70, as will be explained.

I provide a drip gauge cut-Out window space 39 in upper central part Ofone side wall of the housing 10. Auxiliary reservoir 14 has a gravityOutlet tube 60 extending from its fioor, at a point adjacent the upperpart of window 39, and a drip needle valve 88, having valve wheel 89 forregulating same, of conventional construction, in Cooperation with tube60, controls the amount of aqueous solution, capable of leavingreservoir 14. A glass gauge pipe 62 is suitably connected, by rubbertube 61, with a conventional Outlet drip reduced portion under dripvalve 88, and the other end of that glass tube is connected with thenebulizer 65.

Nebulizer 65 is a glass bulb, as illustrated, having a reduced lower end65h and an offset larger tube-like upper end 84. The lower reduced end65b has a washer 81 sealed therein, as illustrated in Figure 4, and inthat washer hole 81a a hollow glass-like needle 82 is sealed therein,around the outside of that needle, with the needle extending that holevertically upwardly about one-third of the inside height of thenebulizer. The hole in needle 82 is very minute, being about M14 to1/100 of an inch in diameter. Tube 70, connecting the Oxygen supply frompipe 36, has its other end connected with the lower portion of reducedend 65h of the nebulizer, and the construction of parts is such that theOxygen enters the lower end of the hollow needle 82. A hole 65a isprovided in the lower side wall portion of the nebulizer 65, asillustrated, and a rubber cork 66 is removably placed in that hole. Ahollow injection type needle 67 is pierced through said cork 66, andsuitable plastic and rubber tube connecting means, 68, 69, 69a and 63,act to connect the hollow needle 67 with the lower hollow reduced neckportion of the glass drip tube 62, so that the aqueous solution,dripping into tube 62 will be directed and flow by gravity down into andthrough needle 67. As the drops 80 fall into the lower part of nebulizer65, from the inner nebulizer end of needle 67, a supply of the aqueoussolution is collected in the lower part of the hollow nebulizer, of alevel indicated by 90, as a result of the washer 81 and vertical needle82 being sealed together and to the nebulizer, as illustrated, the lowerinside portion of the nebulizer forms a reservoir for that purpose. Whenthe Vertical glass needle 82 is formed, it is formed with a web-likeside extension 83, about mid-way of its two ends, and at the extremityof said web portion, opposite the needle 82, a curved needle like tube83a, of configuration illustrated, is formed integral therewith. Curvedtube 83a is made hollow, its entire length and also the outer extremityof the web portion, as indicated in dotted lines 83h, with said hollowtube-like opening being also very restricted of about 1A, to 1A00 of aninch in diameter.

In the operation of my aerosol humidifier, five to six liter fiow ofOxygen volume per minute, from the fifty pound pressure supply meterfiow Outlet, enters pipe 34 and from there through pipe 36 and tube 70into hollow needle 82, and the latter directs it to point 82a Outlettherefrom. As that oxygen fiow leaves the hollow end point 82a the forcethereof creates a suction draft at the upper adjacent aligned open endof curved tube 83a, and that suction acts to draw the aqueous solutionup the opening 83h, as a result of a resultant vacuum created up tube83a opening 83b, which vacuum in turn sucks the solution up that tubeand out its upper end, where the Oxygen exhaust from hollow needle 82point 82a causes a nebulization or fogging of the solution from tube 83ainto the finest aerosol fog nebulization particles of humidity insuspension, so-called, in the Oxygen. Such nebulized or fogged or sohumidified Oxygen then leaves the nebulizer 65 by means Of the upperoffset open end 84 of the nebulizer 65. Suitable means is used to directthis 100% saturated Oxygen from the nebulizer end 84 to the desiredreceptacle, such as to an Oxygen tent or other receptacle, such as bytubes 85, 86 and 87.

As heretofore explained, there are times when the fiow meter at theOxygen source, not illustrated, will have to be set to permit more thanthe maximum fiow which can be accommodated or pass through the nebulizerunit 65, as when the patient is ordered by the physician to receive morethan that fiow, in certain emergency cases.

' In such an event, I provide my excess flow by-pass control valve 33,which, as previously explained, is provided for just such an emergency,to permit any excess as may be desired to go to the patient'sreceptacle, as an Oxygen tent, to get there by by-passing the nebulizer,by a proper setting of that valve to permit such excess to go by thenebulizer into excess fiow tube 35, from which latter tube the Oxygen isdirected by suitable tubing to the Oxygen tent or other patienfsreceptacle. It is, of course, to be understood that a nebulizer could beconstructed as would accommodate varying quautities of liter fiow perminute, in excess of that capable of being accommodated by the one Iuse, in such an event, and in which event my excess fiow valve would notbe necessary. I have found, however, in an average case, a five to sixliter volume fiow per minute is sufficient, using the now prevalent sizeOxygen bottles, so that such a bottle supply will last about twenty fourhours at that setting.

I provide an excess door opening 40 in the side wall of the housing 10,adjacent the nebulizer 65, provided with sliding door channels 40a and asliding door operable in the Channels, so that the nurse or technicianmay open the door When desired, or for any other use, to provide accessto the nebulizer 65. In use, the dripper valve 88, by set wheel 89, isset so that, per the physicians orders, the supply thereof in bottle 15will last anywhere from one to twenty-four hours. It is to beunderstood, that while for illustrative purposes, I have shown thesupply thereof in the lower part of the nebulizer 65, as being at alevel 90, that same may not be such during use, but, that said levelposition there will depend upon the speed or setting permitting drops toleave valve 88. That level may never rise above the lowest point of thewebbed curved tube 33a. Of course, to have saturated or nebulized Oxygenleaving the upper end 84, of the nebulizer 65, the dripper wheel 89 mustbe set to permit sufficient dripping into the nebulizer to accurnulate asupply of the aqueous solution in the lower part of the nebulizer as tomaintain a level thereof in that lower part of the nebulizer at a pointslightly always above the lower open end of curved tube 83h, for thereason that there can be no vacuum suction created in that tube 831), asexplained, unless that supply of liquid is above that lowermost point.

It will thus be seen that I utilize the Oxygen fiow and a novelapparatus for effecting true nebulization or fogging saturation of theOxygen by aerosol particles, being far Superior to all known methodsheretofore used, some of the latter having been first mentioned herein.Others of the known methods of attempting to humidify Oxygen have been,efort to so-call bubble Oxygen up through water, or by injecting steaminto a hood receptacle, all without any degree of satisfactorysaturation whatsoever.

The constant Oxygen flow up tube 82, without interruption, and the shapeof the nebulizer causing that flow stream to be directed up, outwardly,down and around by point 82a of the nebulizer, several times before themixture all leaves the nebulizer, as indicated by the arrows of Fig. 4,assures a 100% saturated mixture leaving the exit point 34. No electricmotor and pump is needed to accomplish such pressure fiow by the point82a. Thus I have eliminated many parts, and have accomplished a newresult.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes andmodifications may be made in my preferred embodiment of my inventionherein illustrated and explained, and I therefore wish to be distinctlyunderstood that I will not Vbe bound thereby but only by and within thescope and teaching of the hereunto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an aerosol humidifier apparatus, adapted for use with a supply ofnon-aqueous Oxygen held under pressure, a liter per minute fiow controlvalve for controlling the pressured amount Of release of said Oxygensupply, and a patients receptacle adapted for confiningly receivingnebulized Oxygen from a nebulizer, in combination therewith, a frame, anOpen reservoir tank secured tO the upper part of said frame and adaptedfor receiving medicated aqueous solution therein, means for so securingsaid tank, a substantially continuous supply of such aqueous solution insaid tank, a nebulizer of the class described adapted to be operated byonly a given maximum liter flow volume per minute of Oxygen passingtherethrough per minute and for nebulizing such Oxygen flow therethroughthereby, combined drip conduit and control means connecting the lowerpart of the reservoir tank with the lower part of the nebulizer andadapted for. supplying a gravity drip controlled supply of the aqueoussolution into the lower part of the nebulizer, for nebulization of theOxygen passing through the nebulizer with said aqueous solution, saidlast named means including an operable drip set Valve, a glass tube andtube means, conduit means connecting the upper part of the nebulizerwith said patient's receptacle, means for holding said nebulizer inVertical position in cooperation With the frame, and direct tubeconnecting means between the Oxygen supply flow control valve and thenwith the lower end of the nebulizer and adapted for directing the Oxygensupply from said Valve into the nebulizer, said last named direct tubeOxygen supply connecting means having a manually operable excess flowcontrol valve means associated therewith and which excess flow controlvalve means is adapted for permitting any excess Oxygen flow from theOxygen supply flow control valve as may exceed said given maximum literflow volume per minute of Oxygen as can pass through the nebulizer toby-pass the nebulizer and said excess fiow control valve means includingtube means for directing any such excess so bypassed into the patienfisreceptacle.

2. In combination, an aerosol humidifier apparatus as defined inpreceding claim No. 1, and characterized further by the definition ofthe nebulizer as comprising a vertically positioned egg-shaped bulbhaving an open upper end and another opening adjacent its lower sidewall and with a main tube-like Vertical needle sealed as a floor in itslowermost portion, means positioned between the ends of tube-needle forsealing the outside of said needle to the lowermost portion of the bulband comprising the floor of the bulb, means for so positioning thenebulizer in the frame below the drip set valve and the glass tube, theupper end of the main tube needle extending up into the bulb aboutone-third of the height thereof to a point above the said openingadjacent the Vlower side wall of the bulb, said drip conduit meanshaving its lowermost end extending through said opening in the lowerside wall of the bulb, cork means cooperating with said extension of theconduit means and also sealing said opening in the lower side wall ofthe bulb, and a web-like crescent shaped arm extending from and parallelwith said main tube needle within the bulb, said crescent arm beingpreformed with a tube like Opening extending therein throughout itslength, said crescent tube arm being positioned with its end positioneddirectly over and in alignment with the upper end of said main tubeneedle and in close proximity thereabove and with the lower end of saidcrescent tube arm being positioned a short distance above the lowerfloor sealed portion of the bulb and below the level of said cork sealedlower side wall opening of the bulb, the inner diameter of each of themain Vertical tube and the crescent arm tube being substantiallyidentical.

3. In combination with a flow meter liter Volume per minute controlledsource of pressured non-aqueous gaseOus-lke matter, and a patient'sreceptacle adapted for confinmgly receiving the non-aqueous mattertherein, the combmation of, an aerosol humidifier apparatus comprising,a portable housing member having a top, side-walls and bottom portions,a reservoir tank in the top portion thereof and having a fixed screenspaced Off the bottom of the reservoir adapted for holding an invertedopen flat topped bottle of medicated aqueous solution thereon for`supplymg the reservoir with said solution by barometric pressure, anebulizer of the class described having an upper Open end and beingvertically supported within said. housing, means for so supporting thenebulizer, gravity flow tube-like means connecting the tank with thelower portion of the inside of the nebulizer and being adapted forpermitting a gravity flow of the aqueous solutron mto that part of thenebulizer, said tube means havmg a manually operable drip set valveassociated therewith, and a drip inspection glass tube included therein,pipe connecting means directly connecting the lower end of the nebulizerwith the flow meter controlled source of non-aqueous matter forpermitting said matter to enter said end of the nebulizer, saidnebulizer being adapted to utilize the pressure of the non-aqueousmatter so entering its lower e'nd as the force directly Operating thenebulizer and thereby eausing aerosolization of the said non-aqueousmatter so entering that end with the aqueous solution so gravity flowentering the lower portion of the nebulizer, tube conduit meansconnecting the upper end of the nebulizer with the patienfs receptaclefor directing the so aerosoled matter thereinto, and said side wallportion of the housing adjacent the glass tube and nebulizer having anaccess Opening therein.

4. The combination of atnie aerosol humidifier apparatus foraerosolizing pressured non-aqueous matter, as defined in claim 3, andcharacterized further by the definition of the nebulizer comprising anegg-shaped bulb having an upper open end and a sealed lower end exceptfor a Vertical tube extending through that lower end and extending partway up inside the bulb, the lower side portion of the bulb having anopening through which the gravity flow tube from the reservoir extendsinto the bulb, means for Sealing said tube to said Opening, said pipeconnecting means connecting the source of non-aqueous matter with thelower end of the nebulizer in aifect being a direct connection with thelower end Of said Vertical tube extending through the lower end of thebulb, and an auxiliary tuberwithin the bulb positioned with relation tothe Vertical tube therein with its upper end bent Over and immediatelyadjacent and aligned with the upper end of the said Vertical tube andwith the lower end of the auxiliary tube being a small spaced distanceabove the sealed lower end of the bulb, whereby the pressure flow ofnon-aqueous matter upwardly through said bulb vertical tube and by theupper adjaeent end of the auxiliary tube causes a Vacuum suction throughsaid auxiliary tube and thereby sucks aqueous solution up through saidauxiliary tube, the Vertical positioning of the egg-shaped nebulizerbulb being on one of its smaller ends, and the upper open end of saidbulb being at the Other of its smaller ends, said nebulizer bulb Shapeeausing an inherent vacuum downward swirling action of the resultantmixture within the bulb upon operation of the nebulizer when the flow ofthe aqueous solution from the reservoir into the bulb is of a levelabove lower end of the auxiliary tube and as some of said mixture leavesthe bulb's upper open end via said ltube conduit means.

5. In an aerosolizer nebulizer of the class described, adapted to beOperated by a flow meter liter volume per minute controlled source ofpressured Oxygen and to be positioned in the connection between thatsource of Oxygen and a patientis receptacle for confiningly receivingthat Oxygen, in combination with that source of such Oxygen and such areceptacle, the combination of a housing, a source of medicated aqueoussolution carried by the housing, a nebulizer vertically supported by thehousing below the source of said solution, means for so supporting thenebulizer, gravity tube means for connecting the source of saidmedicated solution with the lower portion of the inside of the nebulizerand including a drip set valve, pipe connecting means for directlyconnecting the lower end of the nebulizer with said flow metercontrolled source of pressured Oxygen for permitting said Oxygen toenter said end of the nebulizer, said nebulizer being adapted to utilizethe pressure of the Oxygen so entering its lower end as the forcedirectly Operating the nebulizer for eifecting aerosolization of theOxygen so entering that end of the nebulizer with the said aqueoussolution so gravity flow entering that end of the nebulizer, and tubeconduit means connecting the upper end of the nebulizer with saidpatienfs receptacle for directing the aerosolized Oxygen from thenebulizer into said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,624,337 Gibbon Jan. 6, 1953

